CIMA Qualification Pathway
Structured Courses and Eligibility Requirements for Each Level
Learning Becomes Leadership, Join Professionals in 33+ Countries
CIMA membership is open to individuals worldwide, irrespective of their country of origin. To become a member of the Center for International Mediators and Arbitrators (CIMA), you choose an approved level—Associate (ACIMArb), Member (MCIMArb), or Fellow (FCIMArb)—. You can join by completing a CIMA-approved training course or showing equivalent qualifications; in which case, you apply online with your documents and pay the expedited membership fee. Once approved, you receive your certificate and post nominals and join a global network of ADR professionals.
Law, Practice & Procedure in Domestic and International Arbitration
Foundation Course/Associate
Purpose:
To introduce aspiring ADR professionals to the fundamentals of arbitration and mediation in domestic and international contexts.
Part I Modules:
- Introduction to Arbitration & ADR.
- Arbitration Agreements.
- Domestic and International Legal Framework.
- Arbitration Proceedings and Practice.
- Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Awards.
- Arbitral Practice (International).
- Exercises, Group Work, Mock Arbitrations.
Mock Arbitration and Exercises:
Duration: 2–3 days Format: In-person / Virtual Assessment: Multiple-choice.
Eligibility:
- All professionals (law/non-law)
- No prior ADR training required
- Application & fee payment
Outcome:
- Certificate of Completion
- Eligible for ACIMArb
- Progress to Member level
Law, Practice & Procedure in Domestic and International Arbitration II
Applied Practice & Professional Competence/Member
Purpose:
To develop deeper understanding of arbitration procedures, award writing, and legal foundations.
Part II Modules:
- Law of Obligations/Business Law.
- Arbitration Case Management (Accra Rules).
- Ethics, Cybersecurity and AI in ADR.
- Mediation Law and Practice.
- Arbitral Practice (Selected Jurisdictions).
- Exercises, Group Work, Mock Arbitrations & Mediations.
Mock Arbitration and Exercises:
Duration: 3–5 days Assessment: Written or Exemption Exam.
Eligibility:
- All professionals (law/non-law).
- ACIMArb required.
- Application & fee payment.
Outcome:
- Certificate of Membership
- Eligible for FCIMArb
- Progress to Fellowship level
Law, Practice & Procedure in Domestic and International Arbitration III
Mastery, Specialization & Intellectual Leadership/Fellow.
Purpose:
To equip participants with the highest competence to serve as lead arbitrators or expert neutrals.
Part III Modules:
- Award Writing.
- Mediation, Settlement & Consent Awards II.
- Dissertation in Arbitration & ADR.
- Arbitral Practice in New Markets.
- Peer Interview.
Mock Arbitration and Exercises:
Duration: 5-day intensive + dissertation (7 days–2 months) Assessment: Take-home award writing.
Eligibility:
- MCIMArb or equivalent.
- 7+ years ADR or 10+ legal experience.
- Proven award-writing skills.
- CV & application submission.
- Accelerated route: Law degree + experience.
Outcome:
- Certificate of Fellowship.
- Use post-nominal FCIMArb.
- Listed on CIMA panels.
- Eligible to train, mentor, examine.
Expedited Route to Membership in International Arbitration
Purpose:
Expedited Route to MCIMArb Membership — a fast-track pathway designed for legal professionals, ADR practitioners, and those with foundational ADR training (e.g., LLM (ADR) holders) seeking Mid-Level Professional Accreditation in Domestic and International Arbitration.
Modules:
- Principles of Domestic and International Arbitration Law
- Arbitration Agreement
- Commencement and Appointment Procedures
- Tribunal, Procedural Rules and Case Management
- Interlocutory Applications and Challenges
- Hearing Process and Taking of Evidence
- Award – Essentials and Enforceability
- Arbitral Ethics, Independence, and Impartiality
Grading:
- Understanding of arbitration principles
- Application to facts/scenarios
- Professional writing and structure
Eligibility:
- LL.M holders, ACIMArb members, or experienced legal professionals
- Demonstrated knowledge of arbitration law and procedure
What the Route Includes:
- Assessment Paper (scenario-based and reflective questions)
- 14-day submission timeline
- Certificate of Membership, MCIMArb (England & Wales) upon successful completion,
Benefits:
- Use of the post-nominal MCIMArb
- Access to advanced arbitration training
- Eligibility for Fellowship Pathway (FCIMArb)
Expedited Route to Fellowship in International Arbitration
Purpose:
To equip participants with the highest competence to serve as lead arbitrators or expert neutrals.
Modules:
- Domestic and International Legal Framework: UNCITRAL Model Law, New York Convention and National Legislation
- Law of Obligations and Substantive Law in Arbitration.
- Constitution of Tribunal and Challenges to Jurisdiction.
- Case Management and Procedural Timetabling.
- Evidence and Hearing Management
- Drafting the Award, Enforcement and Setting Aside of Awards
- Ethics and Professional Conduct.
Assessment:
- Participation in workshops and discussions.
- Award Writing Examination (48-hour take-home assessment).
Mock Arbitration and Exercises:
Duration: 5-day intensive + dissertation (7 days–2 months) Assessment: Take-home award writing
Eligibility:
- MCIMArb or equivalent.
- 7+ years ADR or 10+ legal experience.
- Proven award-writing skills.
- CV & application submission.
- Accelerated route: Law degree + experience.
Benefits:
- Certificate of Fellowship
- Use post-nominal FCIMArb
- Listed on CIMA panels
- Eligible to train, mentor, examine
Purpose:
Student Membership is a prestigious yet entirely free opportunity for students who are passionate about mediation, arbitration, negotiation, and dispute resolution.
Eligibility:
- Open to all students of any country currently enrolled in a recognised undergraduate or postgraduate programme (law or non-law).
- Applicants must demonstrate a genuine interest in dispute resolution.
- A valid student ID or proof of enrolment is required.
Membership Benefits:
- Free access to a global network of ADR professionals and student peers.
- Invitations to attend exclusive CIMA student-focused training sessions, seminars, and webinars.
- Discounted rates on professional CIMA certification courses and conferences.
- Eligibility to participate in CIMA Essay Competitions, Moots, and Advocacy Clinics.
- Access to mentorship from experienced arbitrators and mediators.
- Subscription to the CIMA Bulletins featuring trends, case notes, and expert commentary.
- Opportunities for internships, research fellowships, and engagement in CIMA working groups.
Global Exposure:
Student Members are inducted into a diverse international community spanning over 30 countries, fostering cross-cultural exchange, academic growth, and early career opportunities.
Pathway to Recognition:
Our student members get on a guided track toward Associate Membership (ACIMArb), with structured opportunities for progression as their academic and professional journeys evolve.
| Level | Course Title | Eligibility | Post Nominal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate | Introduction to Law, Practice & Procedure in Arbitration | Open to all; no prior ADR experience | ACIMArb |
| Member | Advanced Law, Practice & Procedure in International Arb. | ACIMArb or equivalent; legal training | MCIMArb |
| Fellow | Qualifying Route to Fellowship | MCIMArb or 10+ years of ADR/legal practice | FCIMArb |
With CIMA, the designation“Certified International Arbitrator”isnot an official titleper se.However, in practical and professional terms, the level that ismost commonly regardedas indicating thatone is a fully qualified international arbitratorFellow (FCIMArb). The reason is that:
- It is the highest level of membership in CIMA (England & Wales).
- Fellowship is awarded only after completing rigorous training, including:
- Law practice and procedure in domestic and international arbitration
- Arbitral award writing
- Assessments (written and/or oral)
- Recognized internationally as the benchmark qualification to sit as an arbitrator in complex domestic and cross-border disputes.
| Level | Post Nominal | Qualification Description | Recognised as |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate | ACIMArb | Introductory knowledge; suitable for support roles | Arbitration Associate |
| Member | MCIMArb | Intermediate; can participate in arbitral process | Arbitration Practitioner |
| Fellow | FCIMArb | Advanced; meets global standards to sit as arbitrator | Certified International Arbitrator |
CIMA Brochure
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Career and Job Opportunities
- Arbitrator (Domestic & International) – FCIMArb holders may be appointed as sole or presiding arbitrators in commercial, construction, and investor-state disputes.
- Tribunal Secretary or Registrar – MCIMArb and ACIMArb holders are eligible for support roles in institutional and ad hoc arbitrations.
- Mediator / Conciliator – Especially where CIMA’s ADR training includes mediation competencies.
- Arbitral Counsel (ADR/Dispute Resolution Unit) – In law firms, banks, multinationals, and regulatory agencies.
- In-House Legal & Compliance Officer – Equipped with dispute avoidance and settlement skills.
- ADR Researcher / Consultant – For NGOs, think tanks, and international organizations.
- Registrar or Staff of Arbitration Centers
- Court-Connected ADR Officer
- Policy Advisor on Dispute Resolution – Ministries of Justice, Trade, Foreign Affairs
- Judicial Training Support – Supporting court-annexed ADR reforms
- UN, UNCITRAL, AfCFTA Secretariat, OHADA, ECOWAS – Technical consultants and dispute resolution experts
- The World Bank & International Finance Corporation (IFC) – Project evaluators, compliance officers with ADR focus
- ADR Lecturer or Trainer – In universities, law schools, and professional institutes
- Conference Speaker / Panelist – At bar association events, international ADR forums, and training workshops
- Establishing an ADR Law Practice or Firm
- Panel Membership – With local and international arbitration institutions (e.g., CIMA, NCIA, KCIA, CIArb, ICC, LCIA, DIAC)
- Contractual Negotiation Consultant
- Business Development in Dispute Prevention and Resolution
| Level | Certificate Outcome | Recognition Status |
|---|---|---|
| Associate | Certificate of Associate Member + ACIMArb title | Recognised by professional institutions, courts, and ADR providers as proof of foundational competence |
| Member | Certificate of Membership + MCIMArb title | Recognised as an advanced practitioner eligible for appointments and further training |
| Fellow | Certificate of Fellowship + FCIMArb title | FCIMArb Certificate of Fellowship + FCIMArb title Highly regarded internationally; denotes professional excellence and leadership in ADR |
- Accepted by law firms, courts, and arbitration centres across Africa, the UK, and the Commonwealth
- Eligible for reciprocal recognition with partner institutions
- Meets international best practices aligned with UNCITRAL and CIArb standards
- Valued by bar associations, judicial training institutions, and law faculties globally
Your CIMA certificate at any level is not merely academic—it is a professional badge of trust, competence, and credibility. It opens doors to:
- Domestic and Cross-border practice
- Panel appointments locally and internationally.
- Consultancy engagements
- Access to a global network of ADR professionals
- Teaching and mentorship roles
CIMA Mediation Qualification Pathway
Course Title:
Law, Practice and Procedure in Domestic and International Mediation.
Duration:
3 days (or equivalent contact hours).
Assessment:
Multiple-choice or short-answer test.
Eligibility:
Open to all professionals with interest in mediation.
Core Topics:
- Nature and Scope of Mediation.
- Principles of Voluntariness, Confidentiality, and Neutrality.
- Mediation Stages: Opening, Exploration, Negotiation, Agreement.
- Role of the Mediator vs. Arbitrator or Judge.
- Introduction to Mediation Legal Frameworks (Singapore Convention, UNCITRAL, National Legislation etc.).
- Institutional vs. Ad hoc Mediation Processes.
Mock Mediation and Exercises
Entry Qualifications:
- Open to all professionals (legal and non-legal backgrounds)
- No prior legal or ADR experience required
- Interest in ADR, conflict resolution, or peacebuilding required
Course Title:
Advanced Law, Practice and Procedure in Domestic and International Mediation.
Duration:
5 days.
Assessment:
Simulated mediation + open-book written assessment.
Prerequisite:
ACIMed or equivalent experience.
Core Topics:
- Advanced Mediation Techniques and Process Design
- Mediation Advocacy and Party Representation
- Ethics and Professional Standards for Mediators
- Multi-party and Cross-border Mediation
- Drafting and Enforcing Settlement Agreements
- Confidentiality and Admissibility under Evidence Law
- Comparative Mediation Laws and Regulations (Domestic and International)
- Institutional Rules and Codes of Conduct
Mock Mediation and Exercises:
Entry Qualifications:
- Completion of ACIMed or equivalent foundational course
- OR: Law degree, or proven ADR/mediation practice experience
- Must demonstrate basic mediation or conflict resolution training
Course Title:
Mastery in International Mediation Practice, Ethics, and Policy.
Duration:
6–8 days + dissertation
Assessment:
- Assessed role-play mediations
- Case analysis report
- Submission of a dissertation or capstone paper
- Peer and trainer evaluation
Prerequisite:
MCIMed + relevant mediation experience
Core Topics:
- Complex, High-Stakes, and Cross-Cultural Mediations
- Mediation in Investor-State and Public International Law
- Med-Arb and Hybrid Dispute Resolution Models
- Ethics in International and Multilateral Mediation
- Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) and AI in Mediation
- System Design for Dispute Prevention and Resolution
- Global Trends and Policy Innovation in Mediation Practice
Mock Mediation and Exercises:
Entry Qualifications:
- Completion of MCIMed or equivalent training
- Proven mediation experience (minimum 20 mediations or 10 years cumulative experience)
- Law degree, postgraduate degree, or senior professional status preferred
- Submission of mediation portfolio or references may be required
